History
The Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church was organized on June 12, 1936 at 3:30 pm in a storefront building on the corner of North 7th and West Cherry Streets. The members were: Reverend O. W. Fuqua, Sister Annie Mae Fuqua and Sister Gertrude Bunder. Reverend Fuqua served as pastor for eight years (1936-1944).
Reverend M. C. Ward became pastor on September 22, 1944. The congregation purchased a new facility at 1525 North 5th Street on January 1, 1948 and held the first mortgage burning ceremony.
In May 1958, Reverend W. M. Davis became pastor. Under the leadership of Reverend Davis, a new church facility was purchased at 2556 North 3rd Street. Reverend Davis served as pastor from 1958 to 1961.
Reverend Genora Patterson succeeded Reverend Davis in 1961. The mortgage was paid on the building at 2556 North 3rd Street in July 1970 and a mortgage burning ceremony was held November 1, 1970 at 6:15 pm. Our present church facility at 5277 North 36th Street was purchased in March of 1976. We were again blessed to burn the mortgage and the ceremony was held on May 27, 1984. On March 10, 1996, after serving Mt. Olive for over 35 years, the Lord called Reverend Genora Patterson to his heavenly rest.
Reverend John K. Patterson, the son of the late Reverend Genora Patterson, accepted the pastorate at Mt. Olive on October 26, 1996 and was officially installed as pastor on May 4, 1997. Shortly after his installation, Pastor Patterson expressed his vision and recommended that a building fund be established for the expansion of the church building.
The ground breaking ceremony was held on May 21, 2006 and the extensive renovation and addition to our church building began. During the construction period, worship continued at a local public school facility. In August 2008, the building renovations were completed and on October 5, 2008 we held our first worship and rededication service in our newly renovated church edifice.
Sixteen members of Mt. Olive have been called to the ministry (five became pastors):
Reverend Genora Patterson – Reverend E. L. Belfield – Reverend Richard Kirkendall – Reverend Reedie Moore – Reverend James Fuller – Reverend Rufus Fuller – Reverend Kimberly Green – Reverend Andre Thompson – Reverend Maurice Taylor – Minister Mae Thompson – Minister Arthur Hamilton – Minister James Ellis – Minister Joshua Honey – Minister C.B. Eubanks – Minister Jerreld Sellers – and our own, Reverend John K. Patterson.
Actively involved in the community through missions and other outreach activities, Mt. Olive is recognized as a church that cares for all of God’s people. Our aim is to stand true to our mission statement to be “a church designed to meet the needs of the people through equipping them to evangelize the world for Christ”.
Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church has a rich and glorious history. As we reflect on our history, we must never forget those members who are no longer with us but who made it possible for us to reach this milestone through their faith, commitment, and hard work.
We are eternally grateful for their enduring legacies and pray that they continue to be passed on from generation to generation. We celebrate this 84th Anniversary giving all Praises and Glory to God.
(This is a capsule summary of the history. More detailed information is contained in the church’s archives.)